RAYLEIGH’S Tory MP Mark Francois is one of the lowest spenders as far as his second homes allowance is concerned.

He rents a flat in the London Borough of Southwark for which he paid between 2004 and 2008, a consistent figure of £1,516.66 each month.

Towards the end of the period, the rent rose to £1,582 in line with inflation. Mr Francois also claims the council tax on the flat which is classified as his second home.

Mr Francois has also claimed far less than the £400 per month blanket figure for food which all MPs are allowed to claim.

With a few exceptions, during the years between 2004 and 2008, he has always submitted supermarket bills, believed to be from Tesco, for any food claims.

Mr Francois’ enjoyment of sweets, Pot Noodles and other snacks, as well as Birds Eye ready meals has already been revealed.

However, the food bills reveal on a number of occasions, he also claimed for male toiletries, Nurofen tablets, Fairy Liquid, Mr Muscle cleaner, Listerine mouthwash and Lynx deodorant.

The amount claimed on each of these was well within the limit which MPs are allowed, and Mr Francois has not claimed for any cleaning or repairs at his flat over the past five years as it is maintained by the landlords.

Over the last four years, the amount of rent which has been paid out by the Government on the flat comes to £44,596.

Mr Francois said: “I only ever rented my flat and never purchased it with the additional costs allowance.

“Over the four years, I have claimed under £1,000 for food, which included a number of snacks, which have already been commented on in the press.

“I also claimed on the same receipts for a number of minor items such as razors and toothbrushes and also for a number of basic household cleaning products. If I have offended anyone with any of these claims then I apologise.”